1996 GMC SAVANA open hood

Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded I IO-volt AC outlet.
A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
l could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a tire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
1 cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
l heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
I
4. After you’ve used the coolant heater, be SLUT to store
the cord
as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be damaged.
How
long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in’? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
a
GM dealer in the area where you’ll be parking yo~~r
vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that
particular area.
2-16
ProCarManuals.com

Ventilation Tips
0
0
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow, or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When
you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
blower fan to
HI for a few moments before driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture, and reduces the chance
of fogging the
inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear
of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Rear Window Defogger (Option)
You can tell if your vehicle has this option by looking at
the rear window. There will be lines across the glass.
These are the wire-like elements which heat your window.
NOTICE:
Scraping the inside of your rear window could
cut
and damage the defogger. Your warranty
would not cover this damage. Don’t put decals
there; you might have to scrape them
off.
Your vehicle has air vents in the center and on the sides
of your instrument panel.
You can move the vents from side to side or up and
down
to direct the flow of air, or close the vents
altogether. When
you close a vent, it will increase the
flow of air coming out of any vents that are open.
3-8
ProCarManuals.com

If your vehicle has more than one battery, use the
battery that is under the hood
of the vehicle -- this
will reduce the electrical resistance.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection
you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
Set the parking brake firmly
on each vehicle. Put an
automatic transmission in PARK
(P) or a manual
transmission in NEUTRAL
(N).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all
lamps that aren’t needed, and radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries, and could save
your radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find
the positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
A CA
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use
a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery (or batteries) has enough
water. You don’t need to add water to the Delco
Freedom@ battery
(or batteries) installed in
every new
GM vehicle. But if a battery has filler
caps, be sure the right amount of fluid
is there. If
it is low, add water to take care of that first. If
you don’t, explosive gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you.
If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
5-3
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Overheating (Gasoline Engine)
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle instrument panel.
If you have a diesel engine,
you will also find a low coolant light on your
instrument panel.
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the GM Diesel Engine Supplement.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
1
A CAUTION: &3p h;1 -:.e
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone
away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign
of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
I NOTICE: I
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
5-10
ProCarManuals.com

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. See “Driving on Grades’’ in the Index.
If you get
the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or
so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- DRIVE (D).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to push
the accelerator
until the engine speed is about twice as
fast as normal idle speed. Bring the engine speed back to
normal idle speed after two or three minutes. Now see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning,
tLtrn off the engine atzd get everyone out ofthe
vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not
to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-11
ProCarManuals.com

When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off
or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate int.0 the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp”
in the Index.
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it
may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
To open the hood, first pull
this handle inside the
vehicle. It is just
in front of
the driver’s side door frame
near
the floor.
6-6
ProCarManuals.com

Composite Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Locate the rear side of each of the headlamps.
3. Without removing the headlamp assembly itself,
remove the bulb assembly from the
back of the
headlamp
on the driver’s side by turning the bulb
counterclockwise one quarter turn.
4. On the passenger side, turn the bulb clockwise
one-quarter turn.
Also, to remove the bulb on the
passenger side,
you will need to move the battery.
5. Install a new bulb. Do not handle the glass part of
the bulb.
6. Reverse Steps 3 through 4 to reinstall the headlamp.
6-33
ProCarManuals.com

At Least Once a Month Automatic Transmission Check
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassettt -1eck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all bur
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractorshnd anchoiages are
working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep
a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system
does
not need regular maintenance.) Check
the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transmission“
in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified
in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate ail hood hinges, hood prop rod pivot, fuel
filler door, rear compartment hinges, latches,
locks and
any moving seat hardware. Door hinges are lubricated
for the
life of your vehicle; no additional lubrication is
required. Part D tells you what to use. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment.
7-44
ProCarManuals.com